A reader in Grand Rapids e-mailed me today asking whether I could look into a question she had on new unemployment extension benefits signed into law last week.

The new extensions, which add a third and fourth tier of payments to the two Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) extensions already enacted, are complicated. And because of the long delay in approving the legislation in the Senate and the tight Dec. 31 extension deadline, most of the more than 100,000 residents who are expected to qualify for the new extensions will likely only qualify for 13 weeks of extra payments.

The reader cited information contained in a state document posted online that suggests the new tiers of federal extension payments represent only 50 percent and 24 percent of state unemployment benefits, respectively. "For those who are in the top payment tier ($362/per week), that would only be about $60 a week after taxes!" the reader wrote.

I have good news for her and others who may be worried.

"Actually, the percentages apply to the number of weeks, not the weekly benefit amount," said Norm Isotalo, spokesman for the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency.

So eligible recipients of the extension benefit payments would still qualify for a maximum $387 per week in unemployment payments (including an extra $25 provided through the federal stimulus act).

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